KSI vs Logan Paul: Battle of YouTube stars ends in draw – as it happened
We bring you every jab, hook and diss track, while attempting to put this new media monstrosity in context...
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In front of 18,000 fans at the Manchester Arena, YouTube stars KSI and Logan Paul shared the spoils after six rounds of tense white-collar boxing.
While many may pour scorn on a matchup between two amateurs, more than 800,000 streamed the event, billed as the “biggest event in internet history”, at its peak.
At least a half a million more watched on illegal streams, despite the attempts of the organisers to quash them.
The match was the second bout for KSI, who defeated Joe Weller in front of a 7,000-strong sellout in London’s Copper Box Arena back in February.
Fans not able to make it to Manchester for the fight had to pay £7.50 ($10) for the privilege of watching a live stream of the action.
:: Chris Stokel-Walker (CSW) reporting live from the MEN Arena and Adam Hamdani (AH) following all the online reaction
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More than a quarter of a million pounds of bets on the outcome of the event had been taken by British bookmakers by Saturday afternoon, The Independent can exclusively reveal.
“We were blown away by the numbers we saw after KSI's last fight, but that pales in significance in truth, with interest from a betting perspective likely to hit £300,000 by close of play on Saturday night,” said Ladbrokes’ Alex Apati.
Ok: the reactions here are quite something.
The audience are managing to almost drown out the music Jake Paul is coming out to.
Paul, ever a controversialist, has picked an interesting outfit to walk out in. His necklace - reading "F*** Jake Paul" - shows he knows his role here. (CSW)
Here we go. Jake Paul is on his way to the ring with his song "Champion" playing.
He's also wearing a "F*** Jake Paul" chain. Interesting. In fairness, he looks ridiculously confident (AH).
Jake Paul makes his way to the ring
Deji doesn't look the most confident, but that cheer from the live crowd as he steps through the ropes may help. Send earplugs. (CSW)
Deji's ring-walk is an intense one, the major underdog and it looks as though he's feeling it a little bit. (AH)
Deji enters the ring
Never doubt the enthusiasm of 18,000 dedicated fans. Chants of Deji reverberate around the stands and every punch is cheered as a hammer blow. (CSW)
We've just topped 800,000 people watching the paid for live stream. Incredible. (CSW)
A massive first round at the MEN. Jake Paul lands a big left hook early on and Deji looks lost on his feet, but responds midway through the round with an exchange of his own. The major concern for the Brit fighter is that every punch he takes looks like it hurts badly.
This one could be about heart - three minute rounds look tiring. 10-9 round (just) to Jake, despite his bloody face, for me. (AH)
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